Jian Fan continued, "To handle Jiang Ling, the method is very simple. Just have Mom personally step in, and showcase your distinguished, high-society demeanor. Let her see the vast gap between herself and the Jian family. Then, promise her some good resources, and I guarantee she'll know when to quit while she's ahead."
Mother Jian nodded repeatedly, "Excellent, excellent. She's just a celebrity, thinking her good looks are enough to marry into a wealthy family. I'll make sure she knows what a truly upper-class lady is. If she's smart, she'll naturally know when to back down."
"That's right. Subduing the enemy without fighting is the highest form of generalship. You don't need to trouble yourself with anything; just display your most noble side, and all problems will be solved with ease."
"Good! That's how we'll do it!"
Having obtained a good idea, Mother Jian immediately hung up, preparing to get a good night's sleep and take action tomorrow.
After Jian Fan finished deceiving his mother and ended the video call, he immediately informed Jiang Yushuang about the matter.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yushuang quickly sent a message to Jiang Ling.
Recently, Jiang Ling had been immersed in the filming of "The Double Saints of the Great Tang."
Today's scenes were also pivotal to the drama: Emperor Li Zhi's death, the succession of the third prince Li Xian, and Empress Wu's rise to power.
With Li Zhi's death, the political landscape of the court underwent seismic changes.
After Jian Zhou finished filming his scenes for the day, his role was complete, and he could wrap up and exit.
After acting out the final scene with Jian Zhou, Jiang Ling gained a deeper understanding of the imperial couple, Li Zhi and Empress Wu.
In the perception of many, Li Zhi was not only weak, mediocre, and incompetent but also foolish.
If he hadn't left instructions on his deathbed that for important state affairs, when in doubt, consult the Empress (Wu Zetian) for her decision, thus granting Empress Wu immense power, she would not have been able to usurp the Tang dynasty and become the Empress of Zhou.
However, after actually filming this scene, one realized how absurd such criticisms were.
Granting Empress Wu such great power was not a sign of foolishness but rather the most brilliant decision he, as emperor, could conceive.
The death of the previous emperor and the ascension of the new one often marked periods of the most unstable power.
Throughout history, to prevent the emperor's authority from being usurped, emperors would typically arrange for trusted ministers to support the new emperor's smooth accession.
Before his death, Li Shimin made such arrangements, appointing his brother-in-law, Zhangsun Wuji, to assist Li Zhi, which in turn resulted in Li Zhi being constantly constrained.
If even a close relative like Zhangsun Wuji behaved in such a manner, what about others?
Having personally experienced the suffering of powerful ministers dominating the court, Li Zhi naturally did not want his son to endure the same fate, which is why he delegated power to Empress Wu.
His intention in doing so was to utilize Empress Wu's political acumen and methods to help his son secure his reign.
As for the matter of his wife usurping her husband's empire, Li Zhi could not possibly have foreseen it.
This was because, prior to that era, the highest position a woman could attain in feudal society was that of Grand Empress Dowager or Empress Dowager.
Your son is the emperor, and by virtue of your son, you become the Empress Dowager. You hold the highest status; no one can surpass you. What more could you possibly want?
It was based on this ingrained mindset that Li Zhi, despite knowing Empress Wu was ambitious, still delegated power to her.
Furthermore, in traditional ethics, a married daughter is like spilled water, while a daughter-in-law brought into the family is one of their own.
The fortunes of husband and wife are intertwined. No matter how much power the wife wielded, the supreme imperial authority remained in the hands of their own family. When the wife grew old, this power would still be passed down to their children and grandchildren.